Sheet feeder for facsimile telegraph apparatus



Feb. 3, 1948. R. J. WISE ETAL 2,435,260

SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 I 'i i l l wss SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

INVENTORS Feb. 3, 1948. R. J. WI E ET AL 2,435,260

SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 3, 1948. R. J. WISE ETAL SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS R. J.WISE G. H. RIDINGS BY R. D. PARROTT 11 ORN Feb. 3, 1948. R. J. WISE EI'AL 2,435,260

SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 5

INVENTORS R. J.W|SE G. H. RIDINGS BY R. D P RROTT AT ORN4 Feb. 3, 1948. R. .1. WISE ETAL 2,435,260

SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Feb. 3, 1948. R..J. WISE ETAL SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG.8

Feb. 3, 1948. R. J. WISE ETAL 2,435,260

SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. 9

l l llin.-

"' nllil Feb. 3, 1948. R. .1. EWISE ETAL 0 SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941 I1 Sheets-Sheet 9 Feb. 3, 1948. R. J.-WISE ETAL 2,435,260

SHEET FEEDER FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed April 18, 1941- ll Sheets-Sheet 10 FIG. I4

AMPLIFIER MESSAGE DEPOSIT BEING MESSAGE MESSAGE TRANSMITTED MEPTED RECTIFIER INVENTORS R. J.WISE

G. H. RIDINGS R. D. PARROT Patentedl eb- 3,

SHEET FEEDER FOR FAOSIMILE TELE- GRAPH APPARATUS Raleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, .Garvice H. Bidings, Summit, and Robert D. Parrott, West New York. N. J., assignors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application April 18, 1941, Serial No. 889,164. Divided and this application October 3, 1942, Serial No. 460,603

4 Claims. (Cl. 271-8) This invention relates to automatic telegraph machines and more particularly to facsimile receivers for recording incoming messages on successive recording blanks.

This application is a division of our copending application, Serial No. 389,164, filed April 18, 1941, now Patent No. 2,365,741, granted December 26, 1944.

A well-known type of commercial facsimile machine employs a rotating scanning drum or recording cylinder around which is wrapped a recording blank in the case of a receiver or some form of message sheet bearing the copy to be sent in the case of a transmitter. The scanning mechanism also includes, in the case of a receiver, for example, a recording stylus which is moved longitudinally along the face of the blank on the cylinder as it rotates. The blank is usually some form of recording paper capable of being marked by incoming electric signal impulses which pass through it from the stylus either to the cylinder or to some other form of ground return.

One disadvantage heretofore encountered in this type of machine has, been the necessity of loading and unloading the individual cylinders with the recording blanks, an operation requiring time and skill. i

An object of this invention is to provide a facsimile telegraph machine of the rotating cylinder type constructed and arranged to automatically load and unload the recording cylinder with successive recording blanks, message sheets, or the like.

A still further object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for automatically supplying separate recording blanks, or the like, to a facsimilemachine.

These and other objects whichjwill be apparent to those skilled in the art are accomplished by the present invention, one embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a facsimile receiver constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fla. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing a modified embodiment;

Fig. 10 is an elevation looking from the left in Fig. 9, certain of the parts being omitted;

Fig. 11 is a view of the recording blank supply reel;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view of a modification to provide a visual indication of the approximate number of blanks remaining on the supply roll:

Fig. 13 is a view of a recording blank detail;

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram showing one circuit arrangement for a transmitter adapted to control from the transmitting and of a line the operation of the receiver forming the present invention; and

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram showing one circuit arrangement for controlling and operating the machine of the present invention.

The novel control features whereby a transmitter and a recorder according to the instant invention are coordinated for operation are claimed in the aforementioned copending application.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention shows a supporting frame 2i having forwardly projecting side walls 23 and a front panel 24 Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown mounted on hinges 25, permitting the panel to be swung open, giving access to the mechanism mounted within the frame and also on the inner face of the panel. Any suitable fastener or lock '26 can be employed to secure the panel in closed, operative position. ployed to support the complete feeding mechanism for delivering successively individual recording blanks to the recording mechanism.

As illustrated, the paper feed includes a roll 3| of individual blanks supported preferably in overlapping relation, as shown in Fig. 11, on an elongated belt .33 of any suitable material, the end of the belt being secured to a mandrel 34. The belt and supported blanks are rolled together around the mandrel to form a blank supply roll 3i.

The opposite ends of the mandrel 34 are supported in inclined slots 35 in reel supporting bracket arms 36 mounted on the inner face of the hinged panel 24. A rod 31 extends between the arms and is engaged by the face of the supply reel. As the reel is reduced in diameter through use the mandrel will slide down the in- This panel is emcas ew clined slots 35, keeping the face of the reel in contact with the rod I1, which thus serves as a brake to prevent overrunning of the reel after the hereinafter described movement of the belt has ceased. A guide plate 28 extends across the width of the reel and is pivotally supported along one edge on a pivot 38'. The other edge rests on the reel under the rim of the belt as it is drawn oil. The plate prevents any blank from following the reel rather than being drawn oil! with the belt. A pair of guide straps 29 direct the blanks across and over an idler roller 4| rotatably supported by brackets 42 near the top of the panel 24. From the idler roller 4| the belt passes downwardly around a second idler roller 43, rotatably supported by brackets 44 in a slot 45 adjacent the bottom edge of the panel, and thence to a belt take up reel 45 rotatably mounted on the spaced arms 41 of a bracket secured to the supporting shelf 48 provided at the bottom of the panel 24 on the outside thereof. As illustrated, the take up reel is received in slots 49 in the bracket arms 41. With the above described arrangement of pivoted guide plate 25 and guide straps 39, it is not necessary to overlap the blanks on the supporting belt of the supply reel in order to feed them across the roller 4| as the plate and straps insure this operation. Nevertheless, even when the plate and straps are employed, it will usually be preferable to overlap the blanks in order to provide as many blanks as possible within a given length of belt. The arrangement of the plate and inclined slots 25 is such that the plate remains substantially tangent to the supply roll at all times.

The take up reel can be driven by any suitable mechanism such, for example, as a motor mounted on the outside of the panel 24 above the reel and connected thereto through gearing 52. The motor shaft 53 extends above the motor housing and is provided with vanes 54 for ventilating and cooling the housing.

A third idler roller 55 generally similar to the idler roller 4|, see Fig. 6, is mounted in brackets 56 at the bottom of the panel 24 adjacent the panel slot 45. An endless belt 51 passes over the vertically spaced idler rollers 4| and 55.

It will be apparent that the belts l3 and 51 form the moving side walls of a chute having stationary end walls 58 secured to the panel 24. The recordingblanks pass down the chute to the recording mechanism hereafter described. As illustrated, the belts diverge slightly from top to bottom. Obviously, operation of the take up reel 45 unwinds the belt 33 and associated blanks from the supply roll 3|, drawing them over the upper idler roller 4| and belt 51 which are thereby caused to move simultaneously therewith. As indicated in Fig. 6, unwinding of the belt 53 and blanks 32 releases the latter one at a time, permitting them to drop into position to be delivered to the recording cylinder. This position is deflnitely determined by stops formed by ledges 5| at the lower ends of stop fingers 62 extending downwardly from the shelf 48. A pair of cooperating fingers 63 extending downwardly from the bearing bracket 55 is located on opposite sides of the stop fingers 52 and guide the lower edge of the blank into engagement therewith, see Figs. 6 and 7.

A scanning drum or recording cylinder 65 is mounted on a shaft 56 rotatably supported in the frame side walls 23. The shaft 55 is rotated from any suitable source of power, such as a motor 51, through worm gearing 58. A circumferential series of blank holding teeth ll extends around the cylinder adjacent one end thereof andproject's beyond the periphery a suificient distance to pierce a blank and hold it on the cylinder in the manner hereinafter described. The shape of the individual teeth can be varied, but a more or less saw-tooth shape has been found satisfactory.

A peripheral groove 12 is formed in the cylinder and receives a finger ll secured to a rod 14 rotatably mounted in the adjacent frame side wall 22 through which it extends. The projecting end of the rod 14 carries a switch actuating arm I5 for operating the switch It mounted on the side wall. A torsional spring 11, see Fig. 5. surrounding the rod, has one end secured in the frame wall and the other securedto a collar 18 fastened on the rod 14 for normally pressing the finger I3 into the slot I2. Obviously, when a blank is in position on the cylinder, the finger is held out of the slot, thus raising the switch actuating arm 15. Through this switch the finger I5 controls the half nut magnet, the stylus magnet and the phasing magnet.

A blank 22 which isin the position shown in Fig. 6, with the lower edge resting on the ledge iii of the stop finger 62, is delivered to the rotating recording cylinder at the desired moment by a pusher mechanism which is illustrated as formed by grooved rollers 8| rotatably supported on one end of a frame 52 connected to the projecting end of a core 53 of a solenoid l4 biased by tension springs 55 away from the drum. As shown in Fig. 7, the rollers are grooved to accommodate the fingers 52. When the solenoid is energized, usually by a phasing pulse received from a distant transmitter, the grooved rollers 8| are projected against the adjacent edge of the blank 32, forcing it against the teeth of the retating cylinder, which pierces the blank and draws it into the cylinder, around which it is wrapped.

A presser roller BI is rotatably mounted on a stem 8'! projecting outwardly from a bracket arm movably supported on the frame side wall. A spring 8! draws the roller yieldingly against the face of the drum holding the blank against twisting during the stripping operation hereinafter described.

As soon as a blank is removed from the stop finger 82 and delivered to the recording cylinder; the take up reel 48 is operated, drawing the belt 33 of! the supply roll until the next blank 32 is deposited on the stop finger, which serves to stop further operation of the take up reel. The mechanism for controlling the operation of the take up reel through its motor ii is illustrated in Fig. 8 as comprising a photocell 5| located in a housing 92 hung below the shelf 48 on the hinged panel 24. A lamp 8! for actuating the photocell is also mounted thereon, and a reflector I4 is positioned to reflect light from the lamp to the cell, the reflector being located as shown so that light from it to the cell is cut ofl' by the presence of a blank on the stop finger 52. This serves to open the circuit of the take up reel motor II, as hereinafter described, and discontinues further blank feed until the proper time.

The scanning electrode or recording stylus l5 and associated mechanism are mounted on and in a scanning box 55 supported for scanning movement longitudinally of the cylinder 55 on a rod 81 by a beveled roller ll mounted in brackets 85 on the bottom of the box. An inverted U-" shaped bracket ill on the back ofthe box slid ably embraces a guide rod I02. It will beappa'rcut that the scanning box can be easily removed from the machine merely by lifting oil! the supstylus 95 is connected, see Fig. 6, by a wire I03 to the projecting end of the vertically movable armature I04 of the stylus magnet I05 mounted on the scanning carriage;

A half nut I08 is located under the bottom of the scanning box for vertical movement into and out of engagement with a feed screw I" mounted for rotation in the frame side walls 23 and driven from the shaft 86 of the recording cylinder 65 through gearing I08, see Figs. 1 tov 3 The gears I48 can be changed to vary the number of lines scanned per inch, .and for this purpose are located in a readily accessible position on the outside of the frame.-

Scanning movement of the carriage 96 occurs when the half nut magnet II! mounted in the carriage is energized to shift the half nut I08 into engagement with the feed screw Ili'l. Any conventional mechanism such as that shown can be employed for connecting the half nut to the magend of the scanning operation the half nut is disengaged from the -feed screw and the carriage returned to its original position, shown in Fig. 5, by a-coil spring IIO connected between the side wall 23 and the inverted U-shaped bracket secured to the carriage.

As illustrated in Fig. 13, the circumference of the recording cylinder 65 is such that when a blank 32 is wrapped aroundthe cylinder for scanning its edges overlap slightly. In order to facilitate stripping the blank from the drum after scanning, each blank has a notch I2I formed in one corner in such a, way that when on the drum the notch provides an open space between the edges at one end. This space permits a stripping finger I22 extending upwardly from the armature I23 of a magnet I24 to be inserted through the open space and under a blank for the purpose of stripping it from the drum. Obviously the notch or cutaway portion I2I may be of any practical shape to provide sufllcient space for insertion of a stripping finger. The overlapping edges of blank 32 permit the recording stylus to ride over the rotating sheet without encountering a gap and striking the cylinder. It is to be understood, of course, that the recording area of the blank lies to the right of notch I2I and holding teeth II, as viewed in Fig. 13. The armature is ,pivoted on a pin I 25 and biased by 9, coil spring I26 into inoperative position. The magnet assembly is adjustabiy mounted in slots I21 in a bracket I28, in turn adjustably mounted by means of slots I29 on a hanger I3I below the frame 2|, see Figs. 1 a d 6. By this means the stripper finger is adj stable diametrically and longitudinally of the scanning drum.

At the right hand end of the recording cylinder, as shown in Fig. 5, a guide plate I32 is provided for guiding the blank 32 as it is drawn onto the cylinder, and a circular guide strip I33 extends around a substantial part of the same end of the cylinder to keep the blank at that end from moving away from the cylinder.

Figs. 9 and illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention which is particularly adapted to the hand feeding of individual blanks. As illustrated, a chute I35 is provided in which an individual blank 32 is inserted by hand. The blank is definitely located in feeding position by a pair of stop fingers I36 having flat upper faces on which the blank rests. The scanning mechanism port and guide rods and as easily replaced. The

by a pair of pressenrolls I39 rotatably mountedon a. shaft I supported in the upper end of an arm I42 forming air-extension of an armature I43 of a magnet I44; the energizationof which is controlled by a phasing pulse from a remote transmitter. or in any other desired way. The

armature is pivoted one. supporting-shaft I43 and is biased by a spring I48 to normally hold the rolls I39 .in inoperative position. As illustrated, the stop fingers are supported on the armature supporting shaft I45.

In this modification cylinder such, forexample, as the'finger I41 supported on a pivoted arm I48 forming the armature of a magnet I43 adapted to shift the finger into operative strippingposition upon being energized. A spring IBI normally biases tha 'flnger into inoperative position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, the the mechanical features thus far describedtwill' be obvious. Assuming a blank to, be in feeding-position on the stop finger 62, upon eceipt of a phasing impulse the magnet 84 is e ers ed, causing the presser rollers 8| to be proje'tted' to the right in Fig. 6, pressing the lower edge of the blank into engagement with the rotating cylinder 65, the teeth II of which penetrate the blank and cause it to be wrapped around the cylinder withv the edges overlapping except at the notch I2I. Removal of the blank from the stop finger 62 uncovers the reflector 34, permitting the lamp 93 to actuate the photocell 9| to close the circuit of the paper feed motor 5|, causing the take up reel to draw the belt 33 oil the supply roll 3| until the next blank has been released and drops onto the stop finger 62, cutting ofl light to the cell and discontinuing further blank feeding.

During the scanning operation the carriage feed screw I0! is rotated from the motor 81 through the drum shaft 63 and driving gears I08 to produce the necessary scanning movement of the carriage and stylus longitudinally of the rotating cylinder. Incoming signal impulses cause the stylus to record on the blank the incoming messages. When the scanning operation is complete, the half nut is disengaged from the carriage feed screw, permitting the carriage to be returned to its starting position by the spring I I6. Also, the stripper magnet I24 is energized. causing the stripper finger to strip the recorded blank from the cylinder. If desired, a suitable bin or receptacle, not shown, can be provided for receiving the recorded blanks as they are stripped from the cylinder.

It will be apparent that the entireblank feeding mechanism is mounted on the front panel 24 and is readily accessible for adjustment or repair upon merely opening the hinged panel. A control switch I55 in the main power line to the machine is operated to cut off power from the machine by opening the panel and releasing the operating plunger I56 of the switch.

- In order that an attendant may be apprised of the fact that the supply of recording blanks is approaching the point of depletion, one expedient which is contemplated is the inclusion in the series of blanks of one having a different marking or color than the others. Such a blank 32' (Fig. 11) may be placed in the supply roll so that it will be followed by a predetermined small numany form of stripper can .be employed for stripping the blank'from the brake for the roll, is illustrated in Fig. 12. A

U -shaped bracket I51 is pivotally mounted on the guide rod H12 in such a manner that the pivot points are spaced sufficiently along the rod and the bracket is spaced outwardly from the rod sufllciently to permit the free movement of the U-shaped bracket IOI attached to the back of the scanning box 96. An arm I88 is attached to the bracket I51 and extends upwardly to be pressed firmly against the outside of the supply roll 3|, th mandrel 34 of which, in this case. is mounted for rotation in any convenient brackets. Also attached to one end of the bracket I81 is a second U-shaped member I59 which extends upward and over the end bearing plate 28. An upstanding arm IBII is attached to the outer end of the U-shaped member I59 and in turn has attached adjacent the upper portion thereof a spring I6I, the other end or which is attached to any convenient support so that the unitary bracket structure is urged in manner to cause the arm i58 to bear upon the supply roll II with sumcient force to act as a brake. Asthe size of the roll decreases, the arm I 58 is thus maintained in contact with the outside of the supply roll. An indicator or pointer I62 is rigidly secured to the outer end of the U-shaped member I59 and is adapted to be moved over a graduated scale I63. A suitable aperture may be formed in the cover or housing for the apparatus so that the scale may be viewed from without.

A switch I64 may be mounted adjacent the upper end of the arm I60 so that it may be operated at a predetermined point upon engagement by the arm to close a circuit for operating an alarm signal such as a bell, buzzer, lamp, or some combination thereof.

A control circuit for the facsimile recorder described is shown in Fig. 15 wherein the elements of the recording mechanism areshown diagrammatically and are identified by the same characters of reference used in the foregoing description. Such a. recorder is designed to be operated preferably in conjunction with a substantially similar machine functioning as a transmitter.

The control circuits of such a transmitter are shown in Fig. 14 together with diagrammatic representations of a, well-known optical scanning mechanism.

The transmitter is provided with a conveying chute which is in communication at the lower extremity thereof with the scanning cylinder and is arranged to be accessible at the upper extremity thereof from the outside of the machine so that a sheet containing the subject matter to be transmitted may be inserted. Such a chute may be similar in construction to the chute I35 shown in Fig. 9 and having the additional facility of a movable member which may be actuated to open or close the upper end of the chute. The scanning cylinder of the transmitter is provided with circumferential teeth similar to those of the recording mechanism described for the purpose of gripping a sheet conveyed to it by gravity through the chute and securing it to the cylinder for scanning. The transmitter is also provided with means for removing the sheet from the cylinder following a scanning operation which is similar to that shown and described for the recorder. Also, housed in a carriage similar to the recorder scanning box 98 is an optical scanning mechanism which may be similar to any well-known a r ment, comprising a source of light and a system ofllenses for condensing the light to a small scanning spot directed to the scanning cylinder and for directing the light reflected from the cylinder onto a photoelectric cell with a light chopper for interrupting one of the beams periodical1y. Such mechanism is shown in Fig. 14 diagrammatically.

For the generation of the facsimile signals by the transmitter an exciter lamp I", when energized, emits a beam of light which is condensed by a lens 101 to a small spot, which is directed to impinge upon the scanning cylinder I98 rotated by a motor I89. The light which i reflected from the subject matter mounted upon the scanning cylinder is again condensed by a lens I18 to a point at which is located an interrupter or chopper I1I, which may be in the form of a perforated disc, or one which is provided with a plurality of peripheral notches, such as I12. The light chopper is rotated by means of a suitable motor I13 at a predetermined rate whereby the reflected light beam is alternately transmitted and interrupted at any desired frequency, depending upon the speed of rotation of the disc and the number of notches or perforations with which it is provided. The light which is transmitted through the light chopper is directed onto a photoelectric cell I14, the output of which is passed through an amplifier I15 and impressed upon a pair of line conductors LI and L2.

At the receiving station these line conductors are connected in multiple to a signal inverter I18 and an amplifier I11. The inverter I16 is connected to an amplifier I18, which in turn is coupled by means of a transformer I19 to the record-' ing circuit which includes the stylus 95, the recording blank 82 and the cylinder 65. At times when no recording is being done, the stylus is dissociated from the recording cylinder. By reason of its connection to the line conductors the amplifier I11 passes all of the facsimile signals to control the operation of a, relay I88, the function of which will be described hereinafter.

Assume that the circuit is idle and that both the transmitting and receiving apparatus are not connected to a source of power. Someone wishing to send a message from the transmitter, after having first inscribed the message upon a suitable blank provided for that purpose, operates a push button I8I at the transmitter, operating a relay I82 by reason of a circuit extending from the A bus bar of a source of alternating current potential through the winding of the relay, the push button contact I88, the break contact I84 01' a relay I85, to the 13 bus bar of the alternating current supply. A make contact I86 of the relay I82 is connected in parallel with the push button contact so that the relay becomes locked, permitting the release of the push button. Through the make contact I81 of this relay the A bus bar is connected to one terminal of the winding of a relay I88, the other terminal of which is connected to the 13 bus bar, thus energizing this relay to move its armature I89 downward to actuate a plurality of switch contacts associated therewith. The closure of one of these contacts I88 connects the A bus bar oithealternating current source to a secondary bus bar which is labeled A. Connected between the bus bar A and the bus bar B are the driving motor I89 for the scanning cylinder I88 and the feed screw i'or advancingthe carriage housing the optical scanning apparatus and also the motor I18 for driving the light chopper disc I'll. Also, a rectifier IN is connected to the alternating current source. It is presumed that the amplifler I15 is at all times conditioned tor operation. The exciter lamp I98 is energized so that an unmodulated carrier current of maximum amplitude is generated by the reflection of the light from the cylinder I88 and is transmitted over the line conductors to the receiving station.

The received signals, suitably amplified by the. amplifier I11, being or maximum amplitude, cause the operation of relay I89. Through a make contact I92 of this relay the input circuit of a vacuum tube I99 is ener i ed to close the plate circuit thereof, thereby energizing a relay I94 connected in series with the output circuit of the tube. The closure 01' make contact I95 01 this relay connects the A bus bar of a source of alternating current potential through the panel controlled switch I55 to one terminal oi! theprimary winding I98 of a transformer I91, the other terminal of which is connected through a break contact I98 of a relay I99 to the B bus bar. The light source 99 is connected to the secondary winding 299 of the transformer I91 and, therefore, is energized.

If it be assumed that the recorder is in a condition such that there is no recording blank in position to be placed upon the drum, then the light from the lamp 99 falls upon the photocell 9|, thereby energizing the input circuit of a vacuum tube 29I Connected in the output circuit 01' this tube is a relay 292 which thus becomes energized to close its make contact 299, thereby connecting one terminal of the blank feed motor i to the 3 bus bar. The other terminal of this motor is connected through the make contact I95 of relay I94 and the switch I55 to the A bus bar. The operation of this motor conveys one contacts. The winding orrthe locking solenoid 2I9 is thus connected through the switch blade 2I8 and its right hand contact, through a break contact 2I9 oi a relay 229 and the switch contact 22I to the A bus bar. Such a connection permits the subsequent release or relay 2 and insures that the switch contacts remain locked in their clizsgd positions as long as relay 229 is not opera The closure or make contact 222 of relay 2 connects the A bus bar through the switch contact 229 to one terminal of the winding of the relay 224. The other terminal of the winding of this relay is connected through a break contact 225 which is controlled by the arm engaging the scanning cylinder and which has for its purpose the detection or the presence or non-presence of a blank on the cylinder. In the latter case, the break contact 225 is closed, thereby completing the circuit for the operation 01' relay 224 to the B bus bar. The closure of make contact 229 of this relay connects the B bus bar to one terminal of the chute magnet 221 and to one terminal of a lamp 228.. The other terminals of the lamp and the chute magnet are connected to the A bus bar so that they become energized. The lamp illuminates a sign bearing the legend Deposit message. The energization oi. the chute magnet 221 withdraws a closure 229 from the upper end of a chute 299 so that the message may be inserted therein, after which it is conveyed by gravity to the scanning cylinder I98, by which it is gripped and mounted for subsequent scanning,

As soon as the sheet is mounted upon the scanning cylinder, the contact 225 is opened, thereby of the recording blanks 92 from the supply roll 9i into a position to be mounted upon the recording drum, in which position the light falling upon the photocell 9I is interrupted. The vacuum tube 29I becomes inoperative to release the relay 292, thereby stopping the motor 5|. Upon the release of the relay 292 positive direct current Potential is connected through the break contact 294 of relay 295, through the break contact 296 of relay 292, through the break contact 291 of relay 298, and through a make contact 299 Of relay I94, to the line conductor L2.

At the transmitting station a three-position polar relay 2 I 9 is connected tothe line conductor L2 and, in response to the positive potential applied thereto, the armature of the relay is moved to its lower contact M. A circuit is thus provided for the operation of relay 2| I, extending from the A bus bar, through the armature and lower contact M of the relay 2I9, and the winding of relay 2 to the B bus bar. The closure of the make contact 2 I2 of this relay connects the A bus bar to one terminal of a locking solenoid 2l3, the

releasing relay 224, which causes the deenergization of the chute magnet 221 and extinguishes the "Deposit message" lamp 228. Thus, the chute is closed to prevent the insertion of other sheets. The presence of a sheet upon the scanning cylinder effects the closure of contact 29I,

' which becomes illuminated to light a sign bearingv other terminal of which is connected to the B bus I85, through a break contact 296 of relay im' the line conductor LI. 7 ,A

At the recorder a three-position polar relay 249 is connected to the line conductor LI and in response to the positive potential connected thereto the armature of this relay engages its right hand contact M'. The winding of relay I99 is thus connected between the bus bars A and B and, consequently, is energized to operate its contacts. The make contact 2 of this relay 1 connected to shunt the break contact 295 of.

11 relay 202 for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. Even though the break contact I88 of relay I99 is opened, the transformer I91 is maintained energized through a circuit extending through the make contact 242 of this relay and a break contact 243 of a relay 244.

On the next succeeding revolution of the transmitter cylinder I60 following the energization of the half nut magnet 232, a black spot 245 is scanned to generate a carrier current signal having a minimum amplitude. The reception of this signal at the recorder momentarily deenergizes the relay I80, permitting the closure of a break contact 246. A circuit is thus completed for the operation of relay 244 and extends from the positive terminal of a convenient source of direct current through a break contact 241 of a relay 240, the winding of relay 244, break contact 248 of relay I00, and the make contact 249 of relay I99, to ground. The closure of a make contact 250 of relay 244 locks this relay so that upon the reoperation of relay I80 in response to carrier current signals having amplitudes greater than the minimum amplitude the relay 244 is maintained energized independently of the relay I00. The break contact 243 of relay 244 deenergizes the transformer I91 and extinguishes the light 93 temporarily. The closure of a make contact 25I of relay 244 completes a circuit from a convenient source of direct current through the winding of the phasing magnet 84. This magnet actuates the roller 8i, which forces the blank 32 into a position where it is gripped by the teeth of the recording cylinder and is thus wrapped around the cylinder in position for recording. The removal of the blank 32 from in front of the photoelectric cell 9| does not produce any result at this time because the light 93 is extinguished. As soon as the advancing edge of the recording blank reaches the arm I3, the contact I6 controlled thereby is closed. This operation connects the winding of relay 240 between the bus bars A and B, thereby operating the contacts of this relay. The opening of the break contact 241 deenergizes the relay 244, but

connected in parallel with the winding of this relay is a condenser 252 which is of sufficient size to delay the release of the contacts of this relay until the recording blank is completely mounted upon the recording cylinder. After this operation has been completed, the contacts of relay 244 are released, thereby deenergizing the phasing magnet 84. The closure of break contact 243 of this relay again energizes the transformer I91 and operates the light 93 to excite the photoelectric cell 9| and thereby initiate the operation of the blank feeding motor to convey another blank into position to be transferred to the recording cylinder when required. The opening of the break contact 200 of relay 202 in response to this operation opens one circuit from the positive source of potential connected to the break contact 204 of relay 205. However, this potential is not disconnected from the line conductor L2 by reason of the shunt path provided through the make contact 24I of relay I99.

The operation of relay240 in response to the mounting of the recording blank upon the cylinder 65 completes a circuit from the B bus bar through a make contact 253 of this relay, through the windings of the half nut magnet H5 and the stylus magnet I05 to the A bus bar. The stylus 95 is thus moved into a recording position in contact with the blank 32, and the half nut is moved into engagement with t e R screw, thereby imparting a scanning movement to the carriage.

As the facsimile signals generated at the transmitter are received at the recorder, they are applied, after inversion and amplification, to the recording blank for the reproduction of the sub- Ject matter being scanned at the transmitter. These signals also are applied to the relay I00, which will vibrate as the amplitude of the signals varies between maximum and minimum values, but the closure of the break contact 240 of this relay is ineffective to operate the relay 244, since the operating circuit of this relay is open at the break contact 241 of relay 240. The opening and closing of the contact I02 of relay I00 alternately energizes and deenergizes the input circuit of the vacuum tube I03, but this circuit is provided with means for delaying the deenergization thereof during the interval of time that the contact I92 is open. This is accomplished by providing a. condenser 254 connected between the grid of the tube and a source of negative potential. When the contact I92 is closed. this condenser is charged to a potential whereby the input circuit of the tube is energized. As soon as the contact I 92 is opened, the charge on the condenser begins to dissipate through a leak resistor 255 and after the lapse of a predetermined time, the potential of the grid of the tube becomes sufllciently negative with respect to its cathode that the plate current is reduced to a value which is insufllcient to maintain the relay I04 operated. However, the values of the condenser 254 and the leak resistor 255 are chosen so that the plate circuit of the tube I03 draws sufficient current during the normal operation of recording that the relay I94 remains operated.

At the transmitter, when the carriage 250 containing the scanning apparatus has advanced to the end of its movement, a contact 251 operated by the carriage is closed, thereby closing a circuit from the A bus bar through the winding of relay I05, and the break contact 250 of relay 224, to the 3 bus bar. Relay I05 is thus energized to open its break contact 225 and thereby disconnect the positive potential from the line conductor Ll.

At the recorder, the disconnection of positive potential from line conductor LI disengages the armature of polar relay 240 from its right hand contact M and thereby opens the operating circuit for relay I99. The release of this relay closes a circuit from positive potential, through the make contact 259 of relay 240, the winding of relay 205, and the break contact 200 of relay I00, to ground. The operation of relay 205 closes a circuit through a make contact 20I to connect the winding of the blank stripping magnet I24 between the bus bars A and B. The sheet containing the recording is thus removed from the cylinder 05, permitting the contact I0 to be opened. Relay 240 is thus released and the closure of a break contact 262 of this relay completes a. circuit from the B bus bar through a make contact 203 of relay 205, through the winding of relay 208, the normally closed contact 204 of the key switch 285, a. break contact 250 of relay 20'I, to the A bus bar. Relay 200 is thus operated and locked through its make contact 288. A light 200 is connected in parallel with this relay and is also energized to signal the attendant that a message has been received.

It will be noted that the operating circuit of relay 248 is released by the opening of contact 18 controlled by the recording sheet, is deenergized by the opening of make contact 259 of relay 248. However, it is provided with a condenser 210 connected in parallel with its winding which delays the release of its contacts until after the sheet has been completely/removed from the cylinder.

While these functions are being performed at the recorder, it should be pointed out that,'immediately upon the operation of relay 205, the positiye potential which had been connected to line conductor L2 during the recording operation is removed therefrom by the opening of a break contact 204 of this relay. Also, by the time this contact is permitted to reclose following the deenergization of relay 205, a circuit for this positive potential is opened at the break contact 201 of relay 208, which has operated in the meantime.

The removal of the positive potential from the line conductor L2 produces a response at the transmitter by the relay 2I0 whereby the armature of this relay is disengaged from its lower contact M, thereby releasing relay 2. The opening of make contact 222 of this relay deenergizes the half nut magnet 232, thereby opening the contacts controlled thereby and permitting the return of the carriage 256 to its original position.

At the transmitter, while the half nut magnet 232 is energized during a scanning operation, a make contact 21I is closed and shunts the break contact I84 of relay I85 so that, when this relay is operated to open its break contacts in response to the operation of the carriage controlled contact 251, the locking circuit for the relay IE2 is maintained through the half nut magnet contact. But as soon as the positive potential has been removed from the line conductor L2 following the receipt of the end-of-message signal at the recorder to release relay 2 and thereby re-: lease the half nut magnet, the contact 21I is opened to deenergize the relay I82. This relay remains in this condition until the push button I8I is operated at some future time.

The attendant at the recorder has facilities for making another recording of the same subject matter if, upon inspection, the original recording is unsatisfactory. To do this the handle of the key switch 265 is momentarily operated to the right, thereby opening the contact 264 and unlocking relay 208 and at the same time extinguishing the light 268. The release of relay 208 reconnects positive potential through its brea contact 201 to the line conductor L2.

At the transmitter, the polar relay 2"! is again operated to its lower contact M and the transmltting mechanism is started upon the same cycle of operation as previously described, The transmitter is provided with means for generating an end-of-message signal before the carriage 256 reaches the end of its travel to close the contact 251. Such a facility is for the purpose of economizi'ng the line time utilized for the transmission of the facsimile signals in the case where a relatively short message is to be transmitted. In the case of a short message, a switch 212, the handle of which is accessible from the outide of the machine, is moved to the right as viewed in the drawing. The switch is locked in this position by 1 the energization of a magnet 213 through a circuit which extends from the A bus bar through the winding of the magnet, a make contact 214 and a break contact I84 of relay I86 to the B 14 bus bar. As soon as the carriage 286 has traveled a suflicient distance to eflect an engagement of a roller 216 with some convenient stationary member 216, a, contact 211 is closed to complete an operating circuit for the relay I85 which extends from the A bus bar through the contact 211, the make contact 218, the winding of relay I85, and the break contact 268 of relay 224 to the B bus bar; The opening of break contact 235 of relay I86 disconnects the positive potential from the line conductor LI to control the recorder mechanism in the manner described. The opening of the break contact I84 of this relay opens the locking circuit-for the magnet 213, thereby releasing the switch 212 to its normal position.

At the recorder, when the attendant is satisfied with the recording, the handle of the key switch 285 is operated to the left to close a contact 218.

A circuit is thuscompleted from the B bus bar through the make contact 268 of relay 208, the switch contact 219, the winding of relay 280, the closed switch contact 264, the break contact 266 of relay 261 to the-A bus bar. Relay 280 is operated and looked through its make contact 28I. Closure of make contact 282 of this relay connects negative potential through the break contact 283 of relay 248, through the make contact 284 of relay 208 and make contact 209 of relay I94 to the line conductor L2.

At the transmitting station, the negative potential connected to the line conductor L2 effects the operation of the armature of relay 2 I 0 to its upper contact S. A circuit is thus established from the A bus bar through the armature and contact 8 of relay 2 I0, the switch contact 285 and the winding of the blank stripping magnet 286 to the B bus bar. A lamp 281 connected in multiple with the winding of the stripping magnet is also energized to illuminate a sign bearing the legend Message accepted. As soon as the sheet bearing the subject matter transmitted has been removed from the cylinder, the contact 225 is reclosed, which establishes a circuit from the A bus bar through the armature and upper contact S of relay 2| 0, the winding of relay 220, the break contact 288 of relay 224, the contact 225, to the B bus bar. The relay 220 is thus energized to open, at the break contact 2I9, the locking circuit of the locking solenoid 2l3. The armature I89 of relay I88 is released, permitting the opening of the switch contacts controlled thereby. The opening of contact I disconnects the A bus bar from the A bus bar, thereby deenergizing the rectifier I9I, the driving motor I68 and the chopper motor I13, and the exciter lamp I66.

The release of the armature I89 of the relay I86 closes a circuit from the A bus bar through switch contact 289, the make contact 290 of the relay 220,- and the switch contact 29I to reenergiz the locking solenoid 2 I 3. At the same time a lamp 292 is energized to illuminate a sign bearing the legend "In use. The operation of the armature 2 I4 controlled by the locking solenoid at this time prevents the movement of the armature I89 in response to any possible reenergization of the relay I88.

The scanning apparatus which is deenergized upon the release of the switch contacts controlled by the relay I88 in a short time results in the disconnection of the carrier current from the line conductors. At the recorder the absence of the carrier current signals causes the release of relay I80, and at a predetermined time following the release of this relay the timing apparatus associassaaeo ated with the input circuit of the vacuum tube I03 becomes effective to open the plate circuit and causes the release of relay I. The opening of contact I of this relay disconnects the A bus bar from the driving motor 01 and the primary winding I00 of transformer l0! and unlocks relays 200 and. 200. In this manner power is disconnected from the recording apparatus and it is restored to its normal idle condition in which it remains until the push button III is again operated at the transmitter. The opening of contact I00 disconnects negative potential from line L2, which restores the transmitter polar relay 2l0 to normal and thereby releases relay 220 and deenergizes solenoid 2H and the lamp 292.

In accordance with the operation of the system described up to this point, the transmitting and recording mechanisms are completely shut down following the transmission and satisfactory recording of each message. The system may be arranged for continuous operation by placing the blades of the switch 2H at the transmitter on their left hand contacts. When the push button "I is operated to energize relay I82, the switch contactreljay 100 is operated as before to start the transmitting mechanism whereby a carrier current signal is generated. The recording apparatus responds to this signal as in the foregoing description, and the locking solenoid 2|; at the transmitter is energized in response to a signal transmitted over the line conductor L2 from the recorder. This solenoid is locked by a circuit which extends from the B bus bar through the winding of the solenoid, the make contact 2",

" and through the switch blade H0 and its left hand contact to the A bus bar. It will be noted that once this circuit is closed, it cannot be opened by the operation of any of the relays as in the previous case. Consequently, the switch contacts remain closed, maintaining the transmitting apparatus in continuous operation.

The opening of the chute 220 and the subsequent transmission and recording of the message is accomplished in the same manner as that described previously. When the end-of-message signal is generated at the transmitter, the recorded message is removed from the cylinder 05, after which the relay 208 is operated and locked, and the lamp 269 is energized. For this type of operation the key switch 260 may be left in its normal position, as shown, while a message is being recorded, in which case the attendant may make a second recording of the message or may accept it, if satisfactory, by the previously described manipulation of the switch.

Whenthe key switch is operated to close the contact 219, relay 200 is operated and looked as before to apply negative potential to the line conductor L2. The polar relay 2 l 0 at the transmitter is operated to its upper contact S to remove the message bearing sheet from the transmitter cylinder, after which relay 220 is operated as described. The closure of make contact 292 of this relay connects the negative terminal of the rectifier lill to line conductor Ll.

At the recorder, in response to this potential polar relay 240 is operated to its left hand contact S. A circuit is thus closed for the operation of relay 261. The opening of the break contact 206 of this relay opens the locking circuit for relays 200 and 280, thereby releasing these relays. The opening of either of the make contacts 284 or 202 of these respective relays removes the negative potential from the line conductor L2.

The polar relay H0 at the transmitter in response to the removal of this potential is deenergized, thereby disengaging its armature from its upper contact S. When the sheet stripping magnet 200 is deenergized. the "Message accepted lamp 201 is extinguished and the relay 220 is deenergized. Thus, the transmitter is released for further operation if the recorder is in a condition to record.

If a blank 02 is positioned in a recorder in readiness for mounting upon the cylinder 00, relay 202 will be released and positive potential applied to the line conductor L2.

This potential produces a response by the polar relay 2I0 whereby the chute closure 229 is withdrawn, making the mouth of the chute 200 accessible for the insertion of another message bearing sheet. The apparatus remains in this condition until such a sheet is deposited in the transmitter chute. after which operation of the apparatus is resumed as previously described.

At therrecorder the attendant may place the key switch 265 permanently in the Accept" position to maintain the contact 219 closed at all times. In this case, as soon as the sheet bearing the recording has been removed from the cylinder to permit the release of relay 2, relays 208 and 200 operate and lock simultaneously, after which negative potential is applied to the line conductor L2.

The sequence of operations at the transmitter, in response to this potential, is identical with that previously described and results in the application of negative potential to the line conductor Ll. At the recorder this effects the release of relays 200 and 200, thereby restoring the recording apparatus to a condition for making another recording.

It will be noted that, with the key switch 2" locked in the Accept position, it is not possible to obtain a second recording of a message. The transmitting and recording machines will operate through their described cycles as long as additional message bearing sheets are inserted in the transmitter chute.

The system is shut down by the opening of the double throw switch 2 I I at the transmitter. This operation opens the locking circuit for the lock ing solenoid 2i! and permits the opening of the switch contacts, thereby disconnecting the power source from the transmitting apparatus. The absence of the carrier current from the line conductor results in the disconnection of power from the recorder as described.

The nature of the invention may be ascertained from the foregoing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a facsimile machine. a rotary recording cylinder, stationary means for supporting a sheet opposite said cylinder in spaced relation thereto. and means for moving said sheet laterally oll' said supporting means into engagement with said cylinder during rotation thereof, whereby the sheet is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning.

2. In a facsimile machine, a rotary recording cylinder, stationary means for supporting a sheet opposite said cylinder in spaced relation thereto. means for moving said sheet laterally 011 said supporting means into engagement with said cylinder during rotation thereof, whereby the sheet is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning, and an electromagnetic device for operating said sheet moving means.

3. In a facsimile machine, a rotary recording cylinder having circumferential teeth, a stationary stop arranged opposite said cylinder and spaced therefrom to support asheet in operative spaced relation to said cylinder, and means for moving said sheet laterally of! said stop into engagement with. said cylinder and teeth during rotation of the cylinder, whereby the sheet is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning.

4. In a facsimile machine, a rotary scanning cylinder adapted to receive a sheet which is wrapped around it so that the edges overlap, said sheet having a cutaway portion at one corner to provide an open space between the edges at one end of the sheet, a recording member arranged to engage said sheet over the cylindrical area defined by the length of the overlapping edges, and a stripping member arranged to extend into said open space for. removing the recorded sheet from the cylinder.

- RALEIGH J. WISE.

GARVICE H. RIDINGS. ROBERT D. PARROTT.

REFERENCES orran The following references are of record in the 5 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS I Number Name Date Dexter June 9, 1896 Vick -1 May 15, 1917 Aitchison Dec. 11, 1923 Rustad July 80, 1940 Atherton Sept. 6, 1898 Wise et al. Nov. 11, 1941 Tauschek May 28, 1940 Avers Mar. 17, 1914 Jonson July 16, 1918 Cvitkovich Apr. 28, 1925 Power Dec. 12, 1916 Parker Nov. 15, 1921 Griflln Jan. 10, 1933 

